Christians & Gambling

Gambling: What’s Really Good?


From corner dice games, to the Riverboats, to playing the Lotto to even betting on the Lakers vs the Heat, gambling has thrived for years in the city. For believers in Christ who are from environments where gambling is the norm, a question arises, “can I still gamble if I’m a Christian?” With this serious question hitting home to yours truly (who used to visit dice games, card games and the Riverboats frequently), I felt lead by the Lord to dedicate this Real blog towards a serious problem that has caused fights among our families and murders in our cities, gambling.


Throwing caution into the wind is something people do on a regular basis in order to fullfill their drive for a momentary pleasure. However, throwing money into the wind is something that I’ve never seen personally, but what I have seen are people who are “down and out” spending $500 to even their whole paycheck on lottery number, Roulette tables and Black Jack, with the hopes to strike it rich. Even though this may seem normal, to the believer in Christ it should be the total opposite.


Scripture clearly teaches believers that we should be faithful stewards with all that the Lord has blessed us with (Matthew 25:14-30). Gambling is not a true demonstration of stewardship; rather it is ploy to gain money or other material goods quickly at the expense of others, as well as most of the time (not all of the time), it is not supported by faithful honest laboring in a field of respectable work. Proverbs 12:11 says, “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.” The word “frivolity” is used to describe energy that has been used to pursue worthless, unfruitful fantasies.


Statistically speaking, Gamblers Anonymous estimated that there are 12 million compulsive gamblers in the United States. 96% percent of this 12 million began gambling before they were 14 years old1. As you can see from this staggering statistic, gambling definitely influence a negative social policy in the lives of America’s urban youth. When inner-city kids grow up seeing their uncles and parents buying lottery tickets, betting on sports games, and even wagering to settle arguments, this cultivates an environment in any given child’s mind that gambling is okay.


Gambling is tough on the minority population in urban America. A New York lottery agent stated, "Seventy percent of those who buy my tickets are poor, black, or Hispanic.” 2 plus a National Bureau of Economic Research "shows that the poor bet a much larger share of their income.”3


So what can we as believers do when we are tempted to gamble? We can do what we are told to do in scripture, stand firm on God’s word and fight the temptation! Since gambling is a game of chance, it totally shows disrespect to the Lord who is Sovereign (Matthew 10:29-30). Arguably, as mentioned above, gambling challenges a strong work ethic in the life of all who fall prey to its temptations. As Paul warned the Colossians in his letter to them, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”



Colossians 3:23-24, we clearly see that if gambling already challenges the Sovereignty of God, therefore showing its opposition to Him, how can one justify participating in an act that defies our instruction to work with diligence in regards to our employer! This context in Colossians is dealing with our work ethic in our homes, and also with those whom we are employed by, key word, ‘employed’.


Speaking from experience, when times got hard for my family (mom and dad), instead of waiting on the Lord, I went out and sought ill-gotten gain at the local Riverboats in Kansas City on more occasions that need to be mentioned. My struggle went from a concern for my family’s economic welfare to I need a new pair of shoes, and ultimately stealing money from my parents! For me personally, the temptation is still there to go to the boats and have a nice buffet from time to time, but I know my weakness will draw me to that old Black Jack or Roulette table.


Even thought scripture does not come out and say, “ayo, don’t gamble yo”, I like to hold fast to Ephesians 4:28, “Let him who stole, steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, so that he may have something to give him who has need.” This scripture always reminds me of a time where I won $750 at the Black Jack table. I was there for about 3 hours and in the course of that time I saw people come to the table with $20’s, $50’s, and $100’s, and equipped with smiles, in a matter of minutes they were broke, angry, and filled the air with curses towards Heaven. In particular, there was a man who had blown $1,000, after he lost his last dime, he began to cry! He started telling everyone how he was a trucker, and that $1,000 was his gas, food and lodging money to get his shipment to its area and pay for his way home. He began to cry louder and then he was asked to leave.


As I left the boat that evening, I paid no mind to that man when I saw him outside, rather I thought how I could spend my money on temporary things. Days later when I started feeling convicted, the Lord lead me to Ephesians 4:28, and reminded me of my wrongdoing. It is with that passion that I totally stand against gambling today, and plea with you the reader, don’t go down a road that challenges God and his Word, and leads to selfishness and causes neglectfulness towards your fellow man. Keep hold to Proverbs 3:5-10:

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

1 Gambling in America," Gambling Awareness Action Guide (Nashville: Christian Life Commission), 5.


2 Charles Colson, "The Myth of the Money Tree," Christianity Today, 10 July 1987, 64.


3 Gary Becker, "Higher Sin Taxes: A Low Blow to the Poor," Business Week, 5 June 1989, 23.

Christians & Secret Societies

A question that I am often asked is should Christians join social clubs, such as the Masons, that are commonly labeled, “secret societies” or “secret fraternal orders”. I have dedicated this time to direct you the reader as to what God’s word says about such groups. After all if my stance is not rooted in the factual and infallible word of God, I have no business answering the above question.


In the city, even in some churches its not hard to find deacons and even some pastors who are apart of the Masons, and other “secret organizations”. Most older people proudly display their medallions on the trunks of their car, while overshadowing their “Jesus” license plates.


First let’s examine how these secret societies are structured, and what they ask of their members, or pledging members.

Any member of a secret society is to have a binding loyalty to all of their “brothers” or “sisters” of the society. For the believer, this ought not to be, for scripture instructs in 2 Corinthians 6:14,15, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Or what accord does Christ have with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” Paul, in this context, is instructing the believers in the church of Corinth, to not be in a spiritual relationship with anyone who is not a believer. “Spiritual relationship” in the context of, a common spiritual enterprise in which the thoughts, goals, methods and practices or the believer and unbeliever will not be the same. In verse 14, Paul refers to an Old Testament prohibition to Israel, that is the work-related grouping of two different kinds of livestock, this scripture reference is Deuteronomy 22:10. In this particular scripture, God commands the Israelites not to plow with an Ox and a Donkey, the reason for this is, in accordance to the dietary laws (Deut. 14:1-8), the Ox was “clean” and the donkey was “unclean”.


Other physical reasons for God forbidding the pairing of the two different animals were; the difference in physical temperament, physical features (i.e. Anatomical make up), and internal instincts would prevent the pair from successfully plowing a straight plow for the preparation of the sowing of the seeds. We should not take away from these scriptures that we are not to talk, converse, or even witness to those who do not believe, but rather, we are not to seek any type of binding relationship with unbelievers. These illustrations are important for the believer to be convinced that these secret societies command that you place your “religious” focal point aside for the success, advancement and the sake of the “brother/sisterhood”, and the fact would remain, the believer would be in a binding relationship with unbelievers, for the “common good” of the group and not the Body of Christ.

Typically activities in these secret orders will detour believers from their God given mission and task here on earth, the Great Commission. Since we live on time that has been graciously given to us by God, we are to be faithful stewards of the short amount of time that we have. Dedicating our time to fraternal orders that make more demands on our time than need be, we as believers should have a heart to do God’s will, and God clearly shows us what his will is for us in His Word, thus Christ spelled it our clearly in the Great Commission.

Lastly, secret societies have philosophies, ideologies and methodologies that are contrary to the Word of God in regards on the issue of Salvation. Generally, these societies dish out a “salvation by works” doctrine, that stirs up it’s patrons to go out and do as many good works as one can possibly can to appease their respected deity. Any believer in Christ should know that we are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone to the Glory of God alone. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 beautifully informs that God chooses those whom He chooses so that He can get the glory, and so that no flesh may glory in His presence. We see in the Old Testament, that Abraham was justified by faith, prior to the work of circumcision, thus showing that salvation has always been and will always be of Grace and not works, lest any man should boast. The dangers of teaching the “salvation by works” doctrine is that one who holds to this teaching can and probably will assume that every individual can and will be saved based on having more good works than bad works, alas, this idea is contrary to scripture. We see in Ephesians 1:3-14 that:

• God the Father did indeed Choose those whom he elected (1:3-6)


• God the Son did indeed make a particular atonement only for those whom the Father chose (1:7-12) and


• God the Holy Spirit is the seal of Salvation only for those whom the Father elected, and for whom the Son did make atonement (1:13-14)

In conclusion, if secret societies were in deed biblical they would first off, not be secret, since the Word of God instructs us to not forsake the assembling of the brethren, secondly, they would not promote the yoking of unbelievers and believers, thirdly they would not advocate services that would detour the believer from their God given task of the fulfillment of the Great Commission, and lastly they would hold to the true biblical stance of salvation by Grace and not works. My stance is rooted in the word of God, and I would encourage believers to be separate from any organization, group, or society that does not hold to the essential teachings of the Christian faith, but rather seek a bible believing Church that does advocate Bible-Centric organizations that promote brotherhood/sisterhood in the faith, accountability, and Godly fellowship.

What We Seek to Accomplish

Grace and peace, thanks for taking the time to read what’s been on our heart as of late. We do feel lead to premise all studies that come from azriELicia with the following “official” statement to clarify both our heart and intentions of our studies:


“It is our conviction, as our conscious is bound by both the Holy Spirit and the Infallible Word of God, that we humbly hold to what is known as Biblical Theology. We are not complete in our studies, therefore we shall remain teachable with a lowly spirit, always ready to recognize our errors. We are not extremists in our beliefs, meaning that we do not think that our Theological Orientation should be a cause for division among other members of the Body of Christ in the areas of all secondary or non-essential matters. However, in the event that any of the essential elements of the beautiful Christian faith have been or are being compromised in any way or fashion, this will cause a plea for discussion so the we may; hear, listen and render the heart of the person(s) who are opposition to the Orthodoxy of the Christian faith, with the hope to win them to the truth of the Christian faith, if it be in God’s Sovereign will.

It is our conviction, as our conscious is bound by both the Holy Spirit and the Infallible Word of God, that we humbly state our hearts desire to posses a balance of daily readings in God’s Word with a time in Prayer, therefore, obtaining an overall balance in lifestyle, thought, word and deed that will reflect the Glory of our Lord. We seek to show the love of Christ (agape) in our actions towards all people, showing an extension of the grace and mercy that we received from God, with the hope to draw all whom we speak with to the intimate and personal knowledge of God.

We are not perfect, nor claim to be so, we have flaws, we sin, but praise be God, that the righteousness of Christ’s perfect life has been imputed on both of our accounts by God’s sovereign choosing to accomplish His will. We are not higher than anyone on any level, for we like all men, were born dead in our sin, we were once children of wrath, but praise be to Christ our Lord, we are new creatures, and our old natures have been put to death. We, like all of God's elect, inhabit a corrupted dwelling, our flesh, humanity that is still unredeemed, and therefore strive daily to make our election and calling sure by living lives worthy of the calling that we have received.”